30.1 Revolutions In Russia

Anyone who questioned him, anyone that was not a Russian Orthodox, and anyone that spoke a language other than Russian.

Marxist revolutionaries

Believed that the working class would overthrow the czar and form a dictatorship of the proletariat.

Proletariat

The working class.

Mensheviks

More moderate Russian Marxists.

Bolsheviks

Radical Marxists, led by Lenin.

Lenin

Leader of the Bolsheviks, had to flee Russia to avoid arrest and later returned to take power.

Russo-Japanese War

Fought for Korea and other territories. Russia lost, and this sparked protests (in Russia).

Bloody Sunday

Workers marched to the czar's palace to protest working conditions and personal freedom. The czar told his soldiers to kill the workers. This sparked protests.

Rasputin

A holy-man that helped the czar's son Alexis, and in return was allowed to make key political decisions. He was later murdered by some nobles.

The March Revolution

Workers rioted. At first the soldiers obeyed orders to shoot them, but later joined their side.

Provisional Government

After the czar and his family were killed, the temporary government got power. It was not supported by the soldiers or citizens.

Soviets

Local councils started by socialist revolutionaries competing for power. They contained both workers and soldiers.

The Bolshevik Revolution

The Bolsheviks brought Lenin back to Russia and gained control of the soviets. Lenin distributed farmland among the peasants and factories among the workers.

The White Army

Opponents of the Bolsheviks formed of various groups: people who wanted back the czar, democrats, and socialists that didn't like Lenin's style. Since they were so different they didn't cooperate well.

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

Lenin though nationalism was a threat to party loyalty. He organized Russia into self-governing soviets.

The Communist Party

The Bolsheviks renamed their party this in honor of Karl Marx, but they didn't follow his ideas. Instead of a proletariat dictatorship, the party held all power.